The Washington Institute for Public Affairs Research

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Washington Institute for Public Affairs Research 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

What is WIPAR?

The Washington Institute for Public Affairs Research serves as a bridge between the academic and policy worlds, advancing scholarly research that addresses pressing issues and concerns. The Institute helps SPA researchers organize and support research projects and promotes collaborative work, effectively putting the lessons of academic research into practice.

WIPAR helps faculty members navigate the proposal process, offering hands-on expertise in conceptualizing, drafting, and coordinating the process between you and the SPA administration. Whether you have an idea and need to find a funding source or if you have a proposal that is ready for submission, we are here to help you start the process.
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Explore WIPAR

Proposal Forms and Resources

Writing a proposal takes time and effort. It involves planning, managing resources, working with colleagues and refining the project's goals. Find additional guidelines and resources that are commonly requested during the proposal submission process here: DPT SPA Finance and Administration Notebook

Ideas Labs

WIPAR hosts Ideas Labs each semester—an engaging workshop series where faculty present their developing research projects, receive valuable feedback, and collaborate with peers to refine their ideas. These sessions offer a dynamic environment for brainstorming creative solutions and uncovering potential external funding opportunities. To learn more, reach out to WIPAR at wipar@american.edu.

Research Workshops

WIPAR invites representatives from major federal and non-profit funding organizations to campus to share insights into the evolving funding landscape. Past speakers have included representatives from the National Science Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. These sessions provide an inside look at agency priorities, emerging research interests, and the nuances of their grantmaking processes—offering faculty a valuable opportunity to engage directly with potential funders. For more information, or to suggest specific agencies you’d like to connect with or see visit SPA, contact WIPAR at wipar@american.edu.

WIPAR Events

Grant Proposal Workshop Upcoming: SPA Research Proposal Workshop

Join the Washington Institute of Public Affairs Research and the SPA Budget and Grants Team for a Research Proposal Workshop on September 16, 2025.

Defending and Improving the Health Knowledge System with Dr. Alonzo Plough

On April 10, 2025, the Washington Institute for Public Affairs Research (WIPAR) welcomed Dr. Alonzo Plough, Chief Science Officer and Vice President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), to American University for a powerful discussion on health equity and public health data. Dr. Plough’s presentation focused on the urgent need to defend and improve public health science and data systems through an equity-centered lens. Highlighting disparities in life expectancy, pandemic-related deaths, and opioid overdose rates across racial and ethnic groups, he emphasized that structural racism deeply impacts health outcomes. He called for more inclusive knowledge production, equitydriven institutional transformation, community-centered dissemination of health data, and stronger defenses against misinformation. Dr. Plough advocated for a public health research system rooted in epistemic equity—valuing both scientific methods and local wisdom—to address complex health challenges and ensure data is not only accurate but also a tool for justice and action.

To learn more about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and their research and funding priorities, please click here.